Chapter 19: Bonding with Splinter

After bonding with the turtles for a while, Musaki hangs out in his room for a while and took a little breather after that group training. For the first time, it feels as if he's cool with hanging out with the turtles, especially Raph. It's been a rough few days for him, but he seems to be improving better. It seems as though he's liking them here in China after all. He sighed to himself and realize how amazing the day has been.

All of a sudden, there's a knock on the door and Musaki turns around and asked, "Who is it?"

"It's Master Shifu."

He can recognize his voice from a mile away and said, "Whatever it is, I didn't do it."

Shifu chuckled and said, "You are not in any trouble. Just open the door."

Musaki opened the door and saw that he was standing there, just smiling a little. He asked, "Yes, master?"

"I want you to do a huge favor for me."

"What's that?"

"Splinter has told me that you have been hanging out with his sons and that they like you now. He says that it was a good thing to see."

"Yeah, I know."

"He asked me to tell you that maybe you two can sort of bond together."

Musaki's eyes widened a little and asked, "Really?"

"Yes. Through the past couple of days, you seem to be very comfortable with him and that he is easy to talk to. I know it would mean the world to him if you two bonded."

Musaki sighs and the thought of him and Splinter bonding together made his heart fill with joy. He really feels as if Splinter is like a third father to him, despite his species. He smiles and said to Shifu, "It would be a huge honor to bond with Splinter."

"Good."

"So, what do we have to do?"

"Just talk and show him the Sacred Peach Tree. Do whatever you like to do."

He's taking his word for it and it would be cool to hang with Splinter for a while. He asked, "Where is he now?"

"He's outside."

"Okay, thanks."

Musaki walked out of his room and walked to the hallways, leaving Shifu watching Musaki walk outside in the hallway. He stood there, folded his arms, smiled and said, "That's gonna be a lot of fun."

A few minutes later, Musaki walks through the Valley of Peace and sees Splinter meditating. He didn't want to disturb his meditating, so he just waited for the right time to check on him, but when Splinter heard Musaki's footsteps coming, he didn't open his eyes at all. He said, "Musaki-san."

Musaki froze and heard Splinter call his name, which made him turn around and say, ""Hey, Splinter. Didn't want to disturb your meditating and all."

"You did not disturb it at all. You can join me if you like."

"Sure."

Musaki sat next to Splinter with his legs crossed and his eyes closed and joined him for meditating. They're both thinking peaceful thoughts and Musaki is starting to enjoy meditating with him. Splinter told him, "I appreciate you coming out here with me."

"No probs. Your sons are all right."

Splinter chuckled softly and then, he opens his eyes and takes a deep breath and tells him, "So show me around."

Musaki opened his eyes and asked, "We're done, already?"

"Yeah. I was almost done anyway."

He chuckled softly and gets up and then walks around and shows Splinter everything in the palace. Then, he walks to the Sacred Peach Tree of Heavenly Wisdom. Splinter gasped in awe as he saw everything there and the peaches hanging out of the trees. He looks at Musaki and said, "Now I see why you like coming here, because it feels peaceful."

"Yep. It;s where I can basically have some peace, just think or just go away for a while. And it's also where I can have a few peaches. They're like my favorite fruit now."

"So I see."

Splinter looks up and sees the peaches hanging around the trees. He reaches his hand up and gets one out of the tree, sniffs at it and takes a bite out of the tree. He turns to Musaki and said, "These are delicious."

"It pretty much lives up to its name. It's the most peaceful places since I've been here."

Both of them sat down down the shades and felt the wind blowing through their fur. Splinter looked at Musaki and asked, "You know why I asked that we should bond?"

"Why is that?"

"Because since you're getting along with my sons, I felt as if that maybe you and me should learn from each other."

"Okay."

"What do you like to do?"

"I sing, write songs, cook and I'm also into ."

"Manga?"

"Japanese comic books."

"I see."

"My friend actually has a thing for and brings me some comic books here and I immediately fell in love with these things. They're so awesome."

"That sounds amazing."

"Yep."

"Let me ask you something. Do you get along with anyone here?"

"Well, I mostly get along with almost everyone, but the ones I get along with the most are Po and Shifu. Po's like the goofy, yet cool big brother I never had and Shifu's like a second dad to me. Those two are pretty much the ones that make me happy. Most of the Five, they're all cool. Tigress still s my guts and Zeke, since we found each other, we're grown closer, not only as brothers, but as friends. So, yeah, I get along with pretty much everyone. They're like the family I never dreamt I would ever have."

"That is something special. Me and my sons are pretty much a small family, but what keeps us together is the way of the ninja. I take everything my master has taught me and it instills with my sons since he died. The one thing I worry the most is me being taken away from my sons or if something happens to them when I'm not there. They're like the only family I ever have and I am responsible for them. Regardless of that, I do love them very much and I want them to remember what they have been taught and use them wisely. When I first met you, it seems as though you were like another son to me and for some reason, the more you come out, the more I listen to you. It's like I'm your second father, but my sons are always important to me."

Hearing what he said made Musaki realize that he is a good father to his students and it made him smile at him. He said, "You know what you are?"

"What is that?"

"A good teacher and an awesome father."

That really touched Splinter's heart and smiled at Musaki. He looked at him and said, "And you have a good heart."

"Shifu has always told me I have a good heart."

"He is right."

"So far, this is pretty much the best day of my life so far."

"So is mine."

"It's really cool bonding with you and all. Just hope that you remember me when you come back home."

"I will."

Both of them look at the sky and for the first time in both of their lives, it became the best day of their lives and it was a moment that they'll never forget. Shifu looked at them, without them noticing and smiled at them, while hiding behind the tree. He chuckled softly and whispered, "Good work, Musaki."

And then he left to their bonding without saying another word.

Wasn't that sweet? And I know what you're all thinking; Is there gonna be a villainous fight scene coming up? I thought you'd never ask. It's a 100% possibility.